Powered By the Black Women Before Me: A Faith Driven Journey
- Kia Palmer
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
There’s a quiet power in the phrase “Powered By the Black Women Before Me.” It’s more than a statement on a shirt—it’s a testimony, a daily reminder that I am not here by accident or luck. I am the product of prayers whispered in kitchens, wisdom passed down over snapped beans and shucked corn, and strength forged in the fire of adversity. My story, my faith, and my purpose are all rooted in the women who came before me.
The Power in Presence: Lessons from My Mother
Growing up, my mother was the center of my world. She was a civil servant, a mother to two girls, and the loving, steady support to my father—a 21-year US Army veteran. In a world that often told women, especially Black women, to shrink or apologize for their ambition, my mother stood tall. She worked in male-dominated spaces, and though the challenges were many, she never let them define her. Instead, she taught me that there is undeniable power in your presence.
Watching her lead children’s church, I saw a woman who poured her heart into the next generation. She loved children fiercely, not just her own, but every child who crossed her path. She created spaces where laughter was encouraged, tears were comforted, and every child left knowing they were seen and valued. It was in those moments that my passion for inspiring and uplifting others was born.
My mother’s love was not about grand gestures or material things. She taught me to appreciate the little things—a sunrise, a warm meal, the sound of laughter. She would say, “Material things will make you smile, but true joy comes from above.” That lesson has carried me through seasons of abundance and lack, reminding me that gratitude is the soil in which joy grows.
She was the disciplinarian in our home, clear in her expectations and unwavering in her message: everyone deserves love and respect. When I struggled with self-worth or faced the sting of rejection, she reminded me that loving others is one of the purest ways to love yourself. Her example taught me that kindness is not weakness, and boundaries are not barriers—they are bridges to deeper, healthier relationships.
Family is More Than Blood: The Gift of Aunt Shirley
As an Army brat, my world was always shifting—new towns, new schools, new friends. But there was one constant: the warm embrace of my godmother, Aunt Shirley. Visiting her and Uncle Johnny was a highlight of every summer. Their home was a haven, a place where the rules of the outside world seemed to pause, and love took center stage.
Those hot summer days were filled with simple joys: snapping beans, shucking corn, and venturing through the woods with my sister, Stanetta, my godbrother Javez, and godsister Johnelle. We’d meet up with cousins, sit under the plum tree eating fruit until our fingers were sticky, and play “that’s my car” from the front porch as the world rolled by.
It was in Aunt Shirley’s kitchen and in Uncle Johnny's garden that my mother’s lessons about the little things became crystal clear. Family, I learned, is not just about blood. God places people in our lives to reflect parts of ourselves we might never see otherwise. Through them, we learn about love, patience, charity, and all the fruits of the Spirit. Aunt Shirley’s home was a classroom of its own, where laughter, prayer, and gentle correction shaped my understanding of community.
Summer after summer, my mother and godmother ensured we were in vacation Bible school. Surrounded by songs, crafts, and stories of faith, they prayed that the seeds of God’s love would take root in our hearts. Those seeds—planted in the soil of family, watered by the Spirit—have grown into the faith I carry today.
Grannie’s Wisdom: Love in the Everyday
No summer was complete without a trip to the country to visit my Grannie. Her favorite holiday was Easter, and as my relationship with Christ has deepened, I understand why. Easter is about resurrection, hope, and new beginnings—truths my Grannie embodied in her daily life.
Late nights watching Gabriel’s Fire, early mornings filled with the smell of ham and eggs, and long afternoons playing in the basement—these are the memories that shaped my childhood. Grannie’s kitchen was a place of magic. With every meal she cooked and every cobbler she baked, she showed me that love can be tasted, savored, and shared.
She prepared us for life’s unexpected turns. “No matter what anyone says or does to you, do not let it change who you are,” she would say. Her wisdom was simple but profound. Before any trip to town, she’d pack snacks and insist on fresh undergarments. When I asked why, she replied, “If anything happens, you want to be prepared.” I’d laugh, but now I see the depth in her words—always be ready, always carry yourself with dignity, and never let circumstances dictate your worth.
Grannie’s sayings were like proverbs—short, sweet, but packed with meaning. She taught me that faith is not just something you profess; it’s something you live, quietly and consistently, every single day.
The Collective Power of Black Women
These are just three of the Black women who have shaped my life, but there are countless others—teachers, neighbors, aunts, family friends—each leaving their mark on my heart. Together, they form a tapestry of wisdom, resilience, and grace. I am powered by their prayers, their sacrifices, their laughter, and their tears.
Being a Black woman in America means carrying the stories of those who came before you. It means honoring their legacy by living with purpose and refusing to let the world define your worth. It means knowing that your strength is not just your own—it is the sum of generations who survived, thrived, and paved the way for you to stand tall.
Powered by the Black Women Before Me: Living the Legacy
Wearing the shirt “Powered By the Black Women Before Me” is not just a fashion statement; it’s a declaration of gratitude and responsibility. It means recognizing that every step I take is made possible by the women who came before me. Their courage is my foundation. Their faith is my inheritance. Their love is my compass.
Their stories remind me to:
Stand Tall in Adversity: Like my mother, I can walk into any room with confidence, knowing my presence is powerful.
Cherish the Little Things: Like Aunt Shirley, I can find joy in simple moments and see family in the faces of friends.
Live with Preparedness and Dignity: Like Grannie, I can be ready for whatever life brings, rooted in faith and wisdom.
Give Back: Each of these women poured into me so that I could pour into others—especially the next generation of girls who need to know they are powerful, loved, and chosen.
A Moment of Reflection
Take a breath. Think about the women who have shaped your journey—mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, teachers, mentors, friends. What lessons did they teach you? What love did they show you? How have their prayers and presence powered you through life’s storms?
Reflect on the ways you can honor their legacy. How can you be a source of strength, wisdom, and love for the women and girls who will come after you? What seeds are you planting today that will bloom in generations yet to come?
A Deep Prayer for the Women Who Came Before Us
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the Black women who came before us—women whose faith, strength, and love have shaped our lives in ways words can barely express. Thank You for mothers who stood tall in the face of adversity, for grandmothers whose wisdom was woven into everyday life, for aunts and godmothers who made family out of friendship and community.
Lord, we honor the sacrifices they made, the prayers they prayed, and the dreams they carried for us. We thank You for the lessons they taught us—about dignity, kindness, resilience, and the power of presence. We are grateful for the seeds of faith they planted in our hearts, for the meals they cooked, the stories they told, and the love they poured out, even when they were weary.
We pray for the women who are still with us—strengthen them, encourage them, and let them see the fruit of their labor in our lives. For those who have gone before, may their legacy live on in us. Help us to walk in their footsteps, to honor their memory by loving others, serving our communities, and standing firm in our faith.
Lord, for every woman who feels unseen, unappreciated, or overwhelmed, remind her that her life matters. Remind her that she is part of a legacy that cannot be erased. Let her know that her prayers are powerful, her love is transformative, and her presence is a gift.
Empower us, Lord, to be the women who lift others up, who break cycles of pain and plant seeds of hope. Help us to be lights in our families, our churches, our workplaces, and our communities. Let us never forget that we are powered by the women who came before us—and that we have the responsibility to power the generations yet to come.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
You are powered by the women who came before you. Wear it with pride. Live it with purpose. Pass it on with love.
Comments